Whitney North Seymour
Encyclopedia
Whitney North Seymour was a prominent New York
trial lawyer and bar leader who served in the Hoover Administration and later served as the 84th president of the American Bar Association
. Seymour served for many years as the managing partner of the law firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
.
Seymour was an assistant solicitor general in the Justice Department from 1931 to 1933 before returning to Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Seymour also taught law at New York University
and Yale Law School
, served as president of the American Arbitration Association
and was chairman of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
and of Freedom House
. He served as president of the Legal Aid Society, the New York City Bar Association, and the American College of Trial Lawyers
.
Seymour completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin and later attended Columbia Law School
from which he received his law degree in 1923.
In his practice, he specialized in trial work and appellate litigation. He argued many cases before the United States Supreme Court. Seymour was considered an expert on antitrust law and civil liberties
.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
trial lawyer and bar leader who served in the Hoover Administration and later served as the 84th president of the American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
. Seymour served for many years as the managing partner of the law firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is a law firm headquartered in New York City which employs over 800 attorneys in ten offices worldwide. The firm is highly regarded for its litigation and corporate practices, with special attention focused on its mergers and acquisitions specialty...
.
Seymour was an assistant solicitor general in the Justice Department from 1931 to 1933 before returning to Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Seymour also taught law at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
and Yale Law School
Yale Law School
Yale Law School, or YLS, is the law school of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Established in 1824, it offers the J.D., LL.M., J.S.D. and M.S.L. degrees in law. It also hosts visiting scholars, visiting researchers and a number of legal research centers...
, served as president of the American Arbitration Association
American Arbitration Association
The American Arbitration Association is a private enterprise in the business of arbitration, and one of several arbitration organizations that administers arbitration proceedings. The AAA also administers mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. It is headquartered in New York...
and was chairman of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a foreign-policy think tank based in Washington, D.C. The organization describes itself as being dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting active international engagement by the United States...
and of Freedom House
Freedom House
Freedom House is an international non-governmental organization based in Washington, D.C. that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights...
. He served as president of the Legal Aid Society, the New York City Bar Association, and the American College of Trial Lawyers
American College of Trial Lawyers
The American College of Trial Lawyers is a professional association of trial lawyers from the United States and Canada. Founded in 1950, the College is dedicated to maintaining and improving the standards of trial practice, the administration of justice and the ethics of the profession...
.
Seymour completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin and later attended Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in...
from which he received his law degree in 1923.
In his practice, he specialized in trial work and appellate litigation. He argued many cases before the United States Supreme Court. Seymour was considered an expert on antitrust law and civil liberties
Civil liberties
Civil liberties are rights and freedoms that provide an individual specific rights such as the freedom from slavery and forced labour, freedom from torture and death, the right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, the right to defend one's self, the right to own and bear arms, the right...
.